Brandon, homeless and poor, gives his last $2 to an elderly guy at the gas station and inherits his firm the next day. Brandon thinks this is his family’s new beginning.
Brandon shuffled inside the gas station with his paper cup of change. Hearing a loud voice near an aisle distracted him. A throng of irate consumers waited behind an elderly guy with hearing problems.
“I’m sorry, what did you say about the water being funny?” elderly man asked cashier.
She groused, “Money!” “I said you don’t have enough money, sir!”
“Yes, it was a sunny day!” he frowned.
“You need money! For water!” Behind the man, a younger man grabbed his shoulder and roared into his ears.
Brandon noticed everything. He wanted to help, but he didn’t want to anger the consumers. The elderly man said he didn’t have enough money and asked for a smaller bottle of water to take his pills.
Cashier: “If you can’t pay, you’ll have to go!”
“I can go?” He grinned and left, but the clerk grabbed his water bottle. Hissing, “Just get out, old man!” “You’re way too much trouble!”
The elderly man begged to take his medicines but was ignored.
Brandon was done. He approached the cashier and offered to pay for the old man.
He responded, “Have a heart, lady,” and emptied his cup on the counter. Before counting the money, she scowled at him.
“That’ll cover it,” she responded, taking his final $2 and all the money. Step aside. Holding the line.”
Brandon left his can of beans on the counter while giving the elderly man water.
Sir, proceed. He spoke slowly and clearly so the man could see his face if he needed to lip-read. The man thanked him. They left the store and Brandon went to his tent on the empty lot next to the station, but the man stopped him.
“Wait!”
Brandon turned.
The older man asked, “Why did you help me when you obviously needed the money?”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being homeless, sir,” he continued, “it’s that the world works when people are kind to each other.”
“What will your kids eat? You left beans on the counter.”
“We have the last of yesterday’s bread,” Brandon said. “We’ll get by.”
The man left frowning. Brandon asked why he couldn’t buy a bottle of water after seeing him drive a shiny SUV.
A silver vehicle drew up to Brandon’s tent the next day as he distributed cold fries to his youngsters. An elegant-suited man approached.
“Good morning, sir. He handed me an envelope, saying Mr. Grives’s last request was for me to deliver this.
Brandon accepted it with wiped hands. A letter was inside.
“Dear Sir,
Yesterday, you showed your good character by spending your last few bucks on me. Your kindness and belief in doing good for others motivated me to give you my business, the best gift.
My time on Earth is ending. I’ve realized my kid is selfish and heartless, so I’m worried about leaving my company to him. I’d feel better if you inherited the company. I only ask that you keep my son safe and comfortable.”
“Is this a joke?” Brandon stared up at him.
A stack of printed papers and a pen were prepared. “Mr. Grives was serious. Once you sign these documents, it’s official.”
“I met him yesterday. Now he’s dying and leaving me everything?” Brandon inquired while reviewing materials.
“Sir, I appreciate your concerns, but these papers were written by top lawyers. We just need your name, and the lawyers will handle the rest.”
Brandon signed it to provide for his kids. His driver took him and the kids to their new home.
Brandon looked up at the huge home when they arrived.
Brandon scarcely believed it. But when he opened the double doors, he felt uneasy. A hallway table was on its side and a cupboard was overturned.
Brandon dropped the luggage, chased the car, and told the driver to call 911. A few hours later, he spoke to police among smashed sofas and chairs.
“We’ve examined the entire house and found no sign of forced entry, sir,” he added. “This, combined with the fact that the security system appears to have been overridden using the correct code, suggests that whoever vandalized this place had a legitimate means of gaining entry.”
Like a key? So the perpetrator walked in?”
“I’d suggest you change the locks, sir,” the officer nodded.
As the police left, Brandon suspected the old man’s son.
Next day, Mr. Grives’ secretary arrived early. She took Brandon shopping and to the barber before taking him to work. Brandon was preparing to browse the computer files in Mr. Grives’ office when the doors burst open.
“You must be Brandon!” A middle-aged dark-suited man entered the office. “I’m Christopher, one of Mr. Grives’s former business partners, and I’m here to save you from a whole heap of trouble.”
“I’m sorry?” Brandon asks.
Christopher sold for one of Mr. Grives’s’specific’ enterprises. Brandon realized it was illegal. He stopped, but Christopher wouldn’t.
“Hear up, idiot! Grives owing me $2 million for his illegal business! “You’re responsible,” he growled. “If you don’t pay, I’ll tell the cops everything. Furthermore, as firm owner, you are liable for all damages. I expect $2 million by Saturday.”
“What? Extortion! Don’t be serious!” Brandon replied.
Yes, it is. And just in case you believe I’m not serious…” Christopher pulled up his suit jacket and touched a revolver holster at his side. “…rest assured that if you cross me, Brandon, I’ll make you disappear.”
Brandon said nothing and accepted Christopher’s demands. However, he suspected Christopher of fraud. Brandon sought for signs of this illegal company.
After evaluating data from all departments, Brandon was sure Christopher was lying by evening. However, he noticed the filing cabinet in a corner. After finding the keys on his desk, Brandon opened it. A vintage file box was his first discovery in the drawer.
Brandon saw a ledger with shorthand entries and knew Christopher wasn’t lying. He searched a drawer for scotch bottles but only found a photo, in despair.
Mr. Grives was pictured with a younger individual. Brandon gasped when he saw how similar they looked. Mr. Grives’ son Christopher was there!
Brandon began to understand. He couldn’t believe a kind man like Mr. Grives would engage in unlawful enterprise. Brandon concluded that Christopher was blackmailing him with his dirty dealings.
Lucky break and a tragic twist that threatened to ruin it all—everything was happening too quickly. Luckily, Brandon was accustomed with business whirlwinds.
Brandon met Christopher in the underground parking lot on Saturday with a counteroffer.
“I’ve got to keep my word to your old guy,” Brandon continued, “so I’ll trade you 49 percent of the company for 51 percent. That’ll let you live lavishly, right? I may run the company as your father did.”
Christopher declined. “I’m not stupid! I deserved everything, not a token! Let’s discuss when you’re awake!” hissed and left.
Brandon returned to work. He wanted to pay Christopher $2 million and be done, but the company’s money was in assets or monthly costs. Brandon was powerless.
Dejected, he returned home to further turmoil. When he opened the front door, his kids’ babysitter was tied to a chair and gagged.
“He took kids! He stated this should be your wake-up call!” He liberated her and she cried, and Brandon understood who she was talking about.
Brandon called Christopher and offered the company, pleading not to injure the kids. They resolved to meet at noon. Brandon phoned the police and met an FBI agent within 30 minutes.
“Just follow my instructions, and we’ll have your kids back…” Agent Bates promised.
Christopher was lounging by a rented hotel pool around midday. He kept Brandon’s kids in a closet and fired all hotel workers save the manager, whom he compensated well.
“Excuse me, sir,” the manager said. “You have a package.”
Christopher smiled while checking the envelope. He went to his room and signed the envelope’s paperwork. He finally owned the corporation! Then he released Brandon’s kids. “I’m confident you three loners can find your way. Get lost!”
]Chris finished getting ready. He suddenly heard a click behind him. Christopher heard a gun’s safety selector easily despite its softness.
“FBI! Raise your hands! You’re arrested.”
Brandon clutched his kids on the sidewalk. A tracker in the documents helped Agent Bates catch Christopher.
Brandon took the kids home to fix things. When the FBI’s fraud section arrived with a warrant, he gave them the company’s documents and the ledger he found in his office, knowing he wouldn’t have a penny at the end of the investigation. Yet he’d be free.
“Daddy, are we going to leave our home…just when Mommy died?” He was asked by Kelly.
Brandon kneeled and hugged his kids.
Listen, three, we’ll be OK. Want to know why?”
Kelly, Derrick, and Sam, his middle child, nodded enthusiastically.
Because our most important asset is in my arms. Keeping together will keep us rich in love, the most vital thing.”
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